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S. Korea, China hold talks on concrete measures for IP rights cooperation
South Korea's customs authorities said Thursday they have held talks with their Chinese counterparts to discuss concrete measures for cooperation on protecting intellectual property rights. The meeting, held Tuesday in Beijing, followed a memorandum of understanding signed by the two countries last month to enhance cooperation on IP protection, according to the Korea Customs Service. The agreement was reached on the occasion of a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Ji
Feb. 5, 2026 -
Defense chief to visit Saudi Arabia for arms trade show, ministerial talks
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back will visit Saudi Arabia this week to attend a major defense exhibition and hold meetings with his counterparts from Riyadh, the ministry said Thursday, as South Korea seeks to boost arms exports. As part of his five-day trip that begins Friday, Ahn will attend the biennial World Defense Show in Riyadh, where some 40 South Korean defense firms will showcase their arms products, according to the ministry. He will also hold talks with Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin
Feb. 5, 2026 -
Georgia-Korea deal, pragmatic diplomacy: New pathways for constrained markets
Since the outbreak of Russia's war in Ukraine, Korean companies have faced constraints in direct engagement with the Russian and Ukrainian markets, while business conditions across the wider region have become increasingly complex and risk-sensitive. Against this backdrop, Georgia could play a constructive and stabilizing role, according to Nikoloz Samkharadze, chairperson of the Georgian Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee. Speaking in an interview with The Korea Herald, Samkharadze said G
Jan. 30, 2026 -
Industry minister meets Lutnick to discuss Trump's threat to raise tariffs on S. Korea
South Korea's Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan met with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday to discuss US President Donald Trump's recent threat to raise "reciprocal" and other tariffs on the Asian country. Kim arrived in Washington on Wednesday night, two days after Trump threatened to increase reciprocal tariffs and auto, lumber and pharmaceutical duties on Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent, citing a delay in Seoul's legislative procedures supporting the implementation of the tra
Jan. 30, 2026 -
In Seoul, America’s 250th begins with art — where cultural ties meet freedom of expression
As America turns 250, its opening statement in Seoul is an art exhibition — the fruit of Korea-US cultural exchange and a shared commitment to freedom of expression. At the center of the opening is Korean modern artist Je Jung-ja, a pioneering first-generation female Western-style painter who built her career in the United States while introducing Korean modern art to international audiences. The exhibition, held at the US charge d’affaires’ residence in Seongbuk-dong, marks the launch of "Freed
Jan. 29, 2026 -
New Sri Lankan envoy aims to boost ties with South Korea
Pathma Naathan, Sri Lanka’s newly appointed ambassador to South Korea, expressed strong hopes of strengthening Sri Lanka-Korea relations during a courtesy visit to the Herald Media Group on Wednesday. Highlighting the history of diplomatic engagement between the two nations, Ambassador Naathan said, “Next year, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Sri Lanka.” The two countries officially established diplomatic ties on November 14, 1977. Naathan e
Jan. 29, 2026 -
India marks Republic Day, eyes stronger ties with S. Korea
The Indian Embassy in Seoul marked India’s 77th Republic Day on Monday, underlining the goal of deepening ties with South Korea in the year ahead. The occasion commemorates the adoption of India’s constitution in 1949, declaring the nation a “sovereign democratic republic” upholding justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Delivering remarks at the event, Indian Ambassador Gourangalal Das highlighted India’s progress, technological advances, and the 10th anniversary of the India-Korea Special
Jan. 27, 2026 -
‘Never again’: Israel, Germany commemorate Holocaust victims in Korea
The embassies of Israel and Germany in South Korea jointly hosted a Holocaust remembrance ceremony in Seoul on Tuesday. Held at the National Museum of Korean Democracy, the event marked the UN-designated International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27, commemorating the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945 and honoring the nearly 6 million Jews murdered by Nazi Germany during the Shoah. Since 2017, the German and Israeli embassies in Korea have held Holocaust remembrance events to uphold
Jan. 27, 2026 -
German embassies in Seoul, Tokyo to host League of Legends tournament
The German Embassies in Seoul and Tokyo are set to host a cross-border League of Legends tournament to connect South Korea, Japan, and Germany through esports. Under the theme "Diplomacy Meets Esports," the embassies aim to connect players and audiences from Germany, South Korea and Japan, highlighting esports as a platform for cultural diplomacy. "While Korea is renowned for its exceptional League of Legends talent, with players like Faker or ShowMaker, the gaming scenes in both Germany and Jap
Jan. 26, 2026 -
Turkey, S. Korea honor hero of Korean War
The Turkish Embassy in Seoul and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs honored Brig. Gen. Tahsin Yazici, commander of the Turkish Brigade during the Korean War, on Tuesday. Yazici was selected as South Korea’s “Hero of the Korean War” for January 2026 under the ministry’s program honoring Korean and UN veterans each month. Appointed commander of the Turkish Brigade in 1950, Yazici led 4,500 troops after their arrival in Busan. He distinguished himself and the unit at the Battle of Kunu-r
Jan. 20, 2026 -
Lee, Italian PM Meloni set for summit talks
President Lee Jae Myung and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were set to hold summit talks Monday, during which they are expected to focus on cooperation in the fields of trade, investment and cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence. Meloni arrived in South Korea on Saturday for a three-day official visit as part of her Asia trip, which also includes stops in Japan and Oman. During the meeting, the two leaders are expected to discuss ways to bolster cooperation in trade
Jan. 19, 2026 -
Malaysia's chairmanship of ASEAN 2025: Steady leadership in uncertain times
As Malaysia concluded its tenure as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Dec. 31, 2025, the year emerged as a defining chapter of steady and principled leadership amid an increasingly complex regional and global landscape. Anchored in the overarching theme of "inclusivity and sustainability," Malaysia steered ASEAN through heightened geopolitical uncertainty, economic headwinds and evolving regional security dynamics, reaffirming ASEAN's unity, relevance and capacity to navigat
Jan. 15, 2026 -
Lee, Takaichi visit ancient temple in Japan's Nara
President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited an ancient Japanese temple in Nara on Wednesday, in a rare joint sightseeing trip that highlighted deep-rooted cultural exchanges between the two nations. Lee and Takaichi toured Horyu-ji Temple in Nara, which contains some of the world's oldest surviving wooden buildings, as part of a diplomatic event arranged to build their rapport on the second day of Lee's visit to Japan. The architecture is known to have been influen
Jan. 14, 2026 -
Ruling party chair, Czech envoy assess bilateral ties
Czech envoy to South Korea Ivan Jancarek and Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae reviewed energy, defense, and people-to-people ties between the Czech Republic and the Republic of Korea on Tuesday. Jung recalled the recent visit to the Czech Republic by Korea’s interior minister and underlined plans to boost cooperation in disaster response, digital governance, and the energy sector, including the Dukovany nuclear project, according to the Public Affairs Bureau of the Democratic Party of Kore
Jan. 13, 2026 -
Lee heads to Japan for talks with Takaichi
President Lee Jae Myung departed for Japan's Nara Prefecture on Tuesday for summit talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, with the two leaders expected to discuss bilateral ties, as well as regional and global issues, amid tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. Lee will make a two-day visit to Nara, Takaichi's hometown, as part of reciprocal leader-level visits dubbed "shuttle diplomacy," aimed at sustaining the recent momentum in improved relations. It will mark Lee's second visit to J
Jan. 13, 2026